NORTHFIELD, Mn, (March 22, 2011 — If you have a story or two in you, how do you share it? Busy Mom and elementary teacher Mary Bleckwehl didn’t set out to be an author. She unexpectedly found herself hospitalized while on vacation in Hawaii where her idea of writing a book was born.
Henry! you’re late AGAIN! (ISBN-10: 159298357X) is Mary Bleckwehl’s first children’s picture book. I sat down to talk with her about her adventures as an author.
Mary Bleckwehl, children's author. Photo by Tricia Little.
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain” is a quote Mary likes. Her own storm came in 2004 during a special family trip to Hawaii. Mary had a ruptured appendix. Complications from surgery compromised her immune system.
“I did not want my hospitalization to take away from my good vacation” Mary says. “I had lots of time to think. Here is where the questions came to me. How can I make the best of this situation I am in? What if I were to use this time to create something special? A story, for example ?"
In the months following her Hawaii trip, Mary wrote four stories including Henry! She researched publishers and sent her stories to them. With either no word back, or a rejection, Mary let the books lay around for three plus years. Her Mother would occasionally ask her, “Have you done anything with your stories yet?”
It was an everyday chore that got her connected to a publisher. While dropping off a UPS item to mail, she noticed a book on display on the counter of a local business. It was by a local author. They connected, and, never being one to act impulsively, Mary considered contacting this publisher for two years.
It was a 2010 New Year’s resolution that got her back on track, five years following the initial writing of her stories.
Mary Bleckwehl with Henry!
“I wanted to get this children's book published as a legacy. It really exemplified who I am-not the story of Henry per se- but rather the idea of creating something that others can pick up and read and enjoy for years to come.
I will not always be around but my kids and grandchildren will have a part of me they can share. And the part I hope they will remember is that reading and education can change a life, as it did mine."
As for the story itself, it has both a humorous tone and a serious message.
"What I have learned from having three wonderful children of my own and from the many students I've taught is that one does not always have control over everything in your life, no matter how hard we try- and learning that has been a gift to me. This story tells, in a humorous way, the tale of a child who has to deal with something that is quite out of his control-getting himself to school on time," Mary said.
How did the story become a published book? Divine inspiration and help.
“When I received a call from an editor at Beaver's Pond Press last year, telling me she was interested in publishing one of my manuscripts, I kind of got cold feet. I had to make a decision as to whether to pursue this or not. I was excited about having a book published but not about marketing it.
The following day my younger sister passed away from complications of pneumonia. The timing of her death was not lost to coincidence. I decided right then and there not to put this off anymore and thus, the dedication of my book is to her,” Mary says. "Life is too short to worry about whether you'll sell books or not."
Beaver's Pond Press led Mary through the processes of editing, illustrating, designing, and printing. Mary valued that she had the ‘last say’ on everything. Quality shows. Her book has already received two special honors, one being the recipient of the Mom's Choice Awards.
Henry! you’re late AGAIN! is told in the voice of a young boy with a humorous and innocent imagination. Henry is a six year old who can NEVER get to school on time and faces the biggest nightmare of all every morning-the school secretary. It will delight readers of all ages and has a “silver lining” ending.
Mary is now back in elementary schools as a visiting author. She also speaks to middle and high school youth about how things can start in unexpected places. For her, it is an award-winning book.
Photo Credit: Tricia Little
Ordering Information: Beaver's Pond Press
Read more from Donna Rae Scheffert at Online-Leadership-Tools. She can also be found on LinkedIn and Twitter.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
